WASHINGTON – Today, members of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) outlined several key principles that they believe should be included in immigration reform legislation. It is the first time in CHLI’s 10-year history that the organization and its leadership have formally come together to raise awareness about an issue of importance to both the Hispanic community and the United States, at large.

"CHLI strongly believes that immigration reform is necessary and that Congress should pass it before it adjourns this year,” said CHLI’s founder and chairman, former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. "Our board of directors unanimously adopted the statement we have made public today, and we urge Congress to act without further delay.

”Participants in CHLI’s press conference included:

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Congressman Albio Sires (NJ-8)

Congressman David Valadao (CA-21)

Mary Ann Gomez, Executive Director, CHLI

At the press conference, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute also released its official statement on immigration reform:

"Over the past several years creating a common sense path to citizenship has been a topic of many public and private discussions; those discussions will only intensify in the coming weeks as Congress and the President consider immigration reform legislation. The policy implications, however, are not limited to the United States, as our nation is linked to many homelands, cultures, and peoples from around the world.

CHLI believes that an earned legalization process is the most reasonable way to address undocumented persons currently in the United States, and recognizes there should be special consideration for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and ‘Dreamers’.

CHLI believes all efforts should be made to expedite the transition to permanent legal status of qualified foreign undergraduate and graduate students studying in the United States who seek such status. Additionally, to improve the quality of education for all students, primary and secondary school education funding levels should be increased, particularly in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) programs throughout the United States.

CHLI recognizes that an expanded H-1B, L-1, and EB visa program for professionals and highly skilled workers, and H-2B temporary visas that support seasonal industries and small businesses are critical to our national economy.

CHLI further believes that improving the efficiency of the agricultural worker visa program (H-2A) will allow the U.S. to maintain a reliable agricultural workforce. This, in turn, will allow for the U.S. to continue producing its own food.

CHLI also believes that delays, backlogs, and disruptions in the immigration and border management systems that impede the movement of people and legitimate cargo across U.S. borders must be addressed, and increased enforcement targeting human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism and counterfeit goods across U.S. borders is key to maintaining U.S. security and prosperity."

The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute is the premier organization founded by Members of Congress and Corporate Executive Leaders to advance the Hispanic community’s economic progress with a focus on social responsibility and global competitiveness. Founded in 2003, CHLI is a 501(c)3 non-profit and non-partisan organization. CHLI is dedicated to fostering a broad awareness of the diversity of thought, heritage, interests and views of Americans of Hispanic and Portuguese descent.

CHLI is invested in helping further strengthen the U.S. Hispanic community by promoting the advancement of Hispanics in all sectors of the U.S. and global economy. In the spirit of the organization’s vision of "Advancing the Hispanic Community’s Diversity of Thought” and its mission, CHLI promotes diversity and inclusion in the public and private sectors. www.CHLI.org